Ecologist Steven Belmain talks about how rats’ keen sense of smell means they can be trained to locate mines in conflict areas, where they make a cheaper and more effective alternative to the dogs currently used.

Rats can also be used to detect diseases, such as tuberculosis, that can be difficult to diagnose with traditional medical tools. In addition, Belmain introduces an upcoming conference on a new project he is leading that aims to use sustainable technologies to tackle pest rodents in Africa.